Gleason could not read or write music in a conventional sense; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and described them vocally to staff help. He did likewise with the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love"). There has been some controversy over the years as to how much credit Gleason should have received for the finished products; it has been written that beyond the possible conceptualizing of many of the songs, Gleason had no direct involvement such as conducting in the making of these recordings. However, his main musical companion, cornetist and trumpeter Bobby Hackett once said: "Jackie knows a lot more about music than people give him credit for. I have seen him conduct a sixty-piece orchestra and detect one discordant note in the brass section. He would immediately stop the music and locate the wrong note. It always amazed the professional musicians how a guy who technically did not know one note from another could do that. And he was never wrong."
Born February 26, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He died on June 24, 1987
Body and Soul
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics to Jackie Gleason's Body And Soul speak of unrequited love and heartbreak. The singer expresses their deep longing and desire for someone who is seemingly not interested in them romantically. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire song, with the singer expressing their sadness and loneliness while yearning for this person. The second stanza adds to the emotional weight of the song, with the singer wondering why they are being ignored by their love interest.
The chorus declares the singer's unwavering devotion to this person, both physically (body) and emotionally (soul). They are willing to do anything to prove their love, even if it means putting themselves out there and risking further heartbreak. The final stanza drives home the point that the singer is completely at the mercy of this person, their life a wreck and ready to be surrendered at any moment.
Overall, the lyrics to Body And Soul convey the raw emotional turmoil of unrequited love, something that many people can relate to. It speaks to the human desire for connection and the pain that comes with not having that connection reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am feeling very low and unhappy in my heart
For you I sigh, for you dear only
I long and crave for only you, my dear
Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not noticed my love for you
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you in every possible way
I spend my days in longing
I spend my days yearning and desiring for you
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
And questioning why you are mistreating me
I tell you I mean it
I want you to know that I am sincere
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely yours, mind, body, and spirit
I can't believe it
I cannot believe what is happening
It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult for me to comprehend
That you'd turn away romance
That you would reject my romantic gestures
Are you pretending
Is this just an act?
It looks like the ending
It seems like this is the end
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
Unless I am given a chance to show you my true feelings and intentions, my love
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing my life to deteriorate and fall apart
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You know that I am completely at your disposal
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to completely give myself over to you, in all ways possible
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing my life to deteriorate and fall apart
You know I'm yours for the very taking
You know that I am completely at your disposal
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to completely give myself over to you, in all ways possible
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, PHIL SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind